The Overnight Walk

Dearest Friends and Family,
As many of you now know my cousin, Michael Hudson, struggled with depression for quite some time. In the early morning of April 1st, he succumbed to his illness by taking his own life. I, along with many of my family members, am left with a sadness that can never be eased. We are asking ourselves all of the questions that are thought of at a time like this, such as: Could I have done more? What if I had done “X”?
Almost immediately, I started researching depression and other mood disorders that lead a person to do something so out of character. I know that it was the disease, NOT Michael! In my search for answers I found the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org). Their website had a lot of interesting information that led me to an event called the Out of the Darkness Overnight (www.theovernight.org). It is an amazing opportunity to increase awareness among the general population. The 20-mile walk supports the AFSP and all that they do to help prevent suicide from support groups to research and a lot of other stuff in-between.
I am participating in this walk in Chicago June 27-28, and I’m trying to raise a minimum of $1000 for the cause. I believe with your help, I can not only meet that goal but exceed it! If you feel that this is how you are meant to give back, please consider donating whatever is in your heart to give. To donate, visit www.theovernight.org, click on the tab “Support a Participant” and either type in my first and last name, Melissa Morphew, or ID 10013978. Then click on my name and follow the online instructions.
Please know that every 16 minutes someone in the U.S. dies by suicide. It is amongst the top five most common causes of death in the 10-44 age group. I now know how much this can affect a person left behind and would not wish this on anyone. Let’s bring awareness and research to everyone so they know they are NOT alone!
Thank you and God bless you all!
Melissa Morphew
Volunteer Participant
(248) 396-3914
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
ID 10013978

Happy Anniversary!!!

I was a busy girl today!!! Cabe & I celebrated our 7th anniversary (8th if counting the "boat wedding") on Monday September 15th. We had a wonderful dinner at Andiamo in Rochester, and an awesome tuxedo cake to end our evening! As a gift to Cabe for being the amazing husband & father that he is, I had scheduled to have the windows tinted on his 2001 BMW 540i. He has been wanting to get the windows tinted for a while but has been lacking the time to do it. Just this past weekend we switched cars to save miles on my 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, I think I got the better end of that deal by the way, which gave me an opportunity to do it for him. After much research on the best place to go I found Sun-Shade Window Tinting In Troy, I called & was impressed by the fast response, reasonable quote & their ability to get me in quickly as well! When I showed up today they told me about the different types and shades of window tinting available and after choosing what I wanted they were off. Both Tim (the owner) and Kevin (a long time employee) tinted the windows, they did an exceptional job and I would absolutely recommend them. No wonder they have been in business for 22+ years!!!

To finish it off I put a new license plate cover on and got rid of the dealership one that we have had on since we got it. The next step is to put an upgraded exhaust on it and a custom plate that says "mine now"!!! :)

So, without further delay, here is the final result. I hope you like it Cabe!!!

It's a girl!

We have a new addition to our family, actually eight new additions to our family! We bought a hamster about 2.5 weeks ago, brought her home and then last Thursday she had SEVEN babies! Yep, I said SEVEN babies! Here is a picture of our beautiful Milan, once she brings her babies out of the little nest that she's made I'll take pictures and post them too.

Happy 2008!

I don't believe in new years resolutions, but I do believe in reflecting on what you are grateful for. I can't think of a single thing to be more grateful for then my wonderful family.



Who could want for anything more!?

Snow Day!

Snowplow service on a day like today?
$60 association fee.

Shovel to get the snow off of the driveway?
$12 at Lowe's

Watching my 7 pound dog try to pee when the snow is as tall as her?
Priceless!

Do you like it?

So I changed the template to something more fun, also, I joined and added Twitter. So, what do you think? Hopefully I'll post more too! :-)

Happy Birthday Jamey!

Happy birthday to you
you live in a zoo
you smell like a monkey
aaaand
you look like one too!

Happy Birthday from the Michigan crew! ;-)

The UAW strike!

I get so frustrated because I think the UAW, particularly Ron Gettlefinger, are a HUGE part of why the American car industry is doing so poorly! I for one would love to see the foreign car company's, that are doing so well, have their workers form a union similar to ours and watch them go down hill at the same time. I think that's what it would take to show some concrete evidence to the UAW. They say that they're big quam is the "Job Security" what exactly is that for them though? Is that just for now, or would they like to make some scrifices now so that they have jobs at all or so that the future generations will have jobs too! Sometimes you have to make some cuts for the greater good. As of now when you get an entry level job working for GM with the UAW you START OFF making $22.00 and hourplus benefits that they don't have to pay into. GM is asking them to take that down and I don't think that unreasonable. I know that when I started of in the workforce I didn't start off with that. I think you have to work up to that. The starting pay for most companies is minimum wage which is I think about $14.00 less then that. CRAZY! Okay so I'm ranting now but I have to go, I am not done though and will be posting with more factual information later.